HADLEIGH, England - Julie Bresset of France won the mountain bike gold medal in her first Olympics, rolling through the English countryside and waving her country's flag as she finished.

Bresset dominated the picturesque course at Hadleigh Farm on Saturday. She seized the early lead, then took advantage of a mistake by defending champion Sabine Spitz of Germany to build a massive lead.

She cruised through last of six laps alone, soaking in the cheers of a huge crowd. She blew kisses on the final straightaway, then grabbed a French flag that she displayed with a flourish as she crossed under the finishing banner.

Spitz wound up with the silver medal, and Georgia Gould of the United States claimed bronze.